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5 IDEAL SPA TREATMENTS IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR SOMETHING UNUSUAL

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5 IDEAL SPA TREATMENTS IF YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR SOMETHING UNUSUAL

The rise of social media has given us a bigger window into the lives of our favourite stars than ever before. Through platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, we’re privy to everything the A-list get up to, from sharing their premium parties and their workouts, to dress fittings and even how they stay looking so fabulous. Indeed, many celebrities — including social media icon Kim Kardashian — have shared videos and snaps of their spa sessions — and it isn’t all back massages and pedicures!

It seems that the A-list will go to great lengths to de-stress and refresh, giving rise to increasingly unusual spa treatments, some of which sound completely bizarre, that is unless being slathered in animal excrement sounds normal to you.

With the help of The Waterfront Hotel who offer spa breaks in Bedfordshire we’ve looked at some of the most weird and whacky spa treatments out there. Here’s 5 IDEAL spa treatments if you’re in the mood for something unusual. 

VAMPIRE FACIAL

When Kim Kardashian shared a photo of her blood-covered face, you’d be forgiven for thinking she was dressing up for Halloween or perhaps on the set of a new horror movie. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong — Kim shared the snap shortly after having a vampire facial, a treatment which involves drawing the blood from elsewhere in the body, separating out the platelets and injecting it back into the face.

The process is believed to help with anti-aging, as the platelet plasma that is injected supposedly stimulates the surrounding cells causing them to plump up and increase in volume. The result is reduced wrinkles and fine lines.

GEISHA FACIAL

No, this isn’t simply a treatment given to you by a woman with a white face, red lips and and elaborate hairstyle. While the Geisha facial may seem like a delicate and sophisticated by name, it is nothing of the sort. Victoria  Beckham is rumoured to be a fan of this unusual treatment, whereby faeces from the Japanese nightingale is collected, dried under UV lights and combined with rice bran and water. The resulting mixture is applied to the face and is said to have exfoliating and purifying qualities than can leave skin looking refreshed. The treatment was first used in 17th century Japan by geishas, hence the name.

BANYA

Emerging from Russia, a Russian banya is similar to a sauna, although it is usually at a lower temperature and features a higher level of super-hot steam. The steam is created by pouring high volumes of water on cast iron that has been heated to 700°C. It causes the body to sweat and therefore supports detoxification.

It’s far from your standard sauna visit. After you’ve sweated a lot, you’ll receive the Parenie, a treatment which uses hot venik. This fragrant bunch of birch, oak and eucalyptus twigs is used to gently hit, stroke and fan you, releasing essential oils, boosting blood circulation and reducing stress and tension.

To finish — and cool down after being exposed to all that steam — you’ll dip into an ice-cold plunge pool to close your pores. According to one Banya website, celebrities including Justin Bieber and Kate Moss are fans!

LEECH THERAPY

This next beauty treatment is not for the squeamish. Leech therapy involves applying leeches to the body and allowing them to suck the blood. It is believed that, while the leeches are sucking on your blood, they’re also injecting a number of bioactive peptides into your body which some believe can support anti-acing. However, many healthcare professionals have contested the effectiveness of this treatment. Despite this, it has been used by both Demi Moore and Miranda Kerr.

 

 

6 TIPS TO HELP YOU PLAN THE IDEAL ROMANTIC GETAWAY

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6 TIPS TO HELP YOU PLAN THE IDEAL ROMANTIC GETAWAY

There is nothing better in this world than travelling with the love of your life. Genuinely. You can experience new things together, create lifelong memories and heat up a romance which England has done its grey and rainy best to dampen. Whether you decide to go full far flung or simply take a shorter break somewhere closer to home, the romance of a trip is truly what you make of it. So make it special with these 5 tips to help you plan the IDEAL romantic getaway.

SET A BUDGET 

There’s no passion-killer quite like worrying about money. Indeed, one of the main reasons for arguing on holiday is a perceived discrepancy between thrift and frivolousness. Accordingly, the first thing that you need to consider when planning a getaway is your budget. Doing so will avoid those squabbles and flare ups which can ruin the romance in a flash. 

CHOOSE A LOCATION SPECIAL TO YOU

There are so many great holiday destinations in this world waiting for you that the grip of stage fright when selecting one can be overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to opt for somewhere tried’n’tested, where romance between you has previously blossomed. Sometimes a little nostalgia trip between couples is reassuring and exciting in equal measure. Alternatively, trying a track unexplored, unheard of and unbeaten offers its own kick. It’s all up to you – the key is choosing your destination wisely.

GO IN THE OFFSEASON

Going away during the offseason obviously has its risks; from the less than desirable average rainfall to sunshine ratios to restaurants so empty that you end up sharing your date with the waitstaff. But, heading somewhere at an unconventional time of year also has its perks. First of all, you’ll be able to save lots of money as stuff tends to be cheaper. You’ll also be able to switch locations with greater speed and swiftness, since throngs of tourists won’t be blocking your every move. This level of seclusion and serenity is certainly conducive to canoodlin’, we think. 

DO A DIGITAL DETOX

If you’re gonna have your eyes on your phone the whole time, then location is kinda irrelevant, right? Flicking through shots of friends in exotic locations on Instagram whilst you fail to look up and appreciate the one you’re in could be the modern definition of irony. Why not make the most of your holiday and get under the skin and amongst the culture of a place? Give your phone a break and have a digital detox; you’ll be amazed at what we can do with our hands when they’re not clicking and swiping.

PLAN A FEW SURPRISES

If you’re in charge of organising the getaway, slip in a few surprises for your partner. Dare to be original and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, the greater effort usually yields the greatest reward. Throw caution to the wind; as this is a ‘romantic’ getaway, the sexier the better, and as such there are so many great little surprises that you can plan for you and your partner. If you want to get some inspiration, visit Passion Sense just make sure you clear that history if you want to keep the suspense genuine!

KEEP IT A SECRET

An idyllic concept, sure, and one rendered almost obsolete by those pesky smartphones we’ve already demonised. But treating the trip as though you’re eloping can add a sense of thrill and rebellion to your getaway.  Indeed, there’s something wonderful about going away with your partner and not telling everyone where you are going or when you are coming back. And maybe, if all goes to plan, you never will…..

6 IDEAL TIPS FOR THROWING AN EPIC OLD-SCHOOL SLEEPOVER PARTY

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6 IDEAL TIPS FOR THROWING AN EPIC OLD-SCHOOL SLEEPOVER PARTY

Remember playing truth or dare, hair braiding and making friendship bracelets? Sleepovers we’re just one of the things that made the 90’s so great. Getting together with a gaggle of girls for a night of giggles and prancing around till the early hours of the morning was one of the best parts of our teenage years.

As far as we’re concerned, you’re never too old to have a sleepover party and they needn’t be a thing of the past. A good-old fashioned slumber party is a fantastic way to have a break from the daily grind of adult life and a way to spend some quality time with friends – something that gets harder to do when working overtime, marriage and parenting become the norm. So take a stroll down memory lane, don your favourite pyjamas and follow these 6 IDEAL tips for throwing an epic old-school sleepover party.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

Watching movies at a slumber party is non-negotiable. Back in the day you had to rent a film from the local video shop (remember VHS tapes?) or buy one from HMV and persuade your mum to let you watch an 18. You couldn’t simply download a film or stream it, but times, thankfully, have changed. We now have the power of Netflix, Amazon and all those other streaming sites, so it’s easier than ever to binge watch romcoms and cult classic 90’s movie like Clueless or Cruel Intentions. Movies aside, entertainment wise old school games like ‘Never Have I Ever,’ ‘Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board’ (remember The Craft?) and of course ‘Truth or Dare’ are obligatory.

UNPLUG

The word ‘wifi’ wasn’t in anyone’s vocabulary back then. If you were one of those kids lucky enough to have a Nokia, you’ll know that the only thing you could do on your mobile phone, other than make calls and send texts, was to play snake. For an authentic sleepover, only use the wifi for the aforementioned streaming. Time should be filled with gossip, not everyone gawping at individual screens. Of course you can still have your phone on to call boys – another thing that always happened.

MIDNIGHT SNACKS

No sleepover party would be complete without loading up on junk food.  Naturally, a delivery of Domino’s pizza is a must (one of the only time and places for this type of pizza). Every slumber party worth its popcorn needs lots and lots of snacks. Think bags of Doritos and Cheetos, Pop Tarts, strawberry laces and old school American Sweets. Just remember to do some extra exercise the following week – unfortunately our metabolism isn’t what it was as a teenager.

DON’T FORGET THE CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE

Remember reanacting all the Spice Girls videos with hairbrushes as make-believe micorphones? Or perhaps learning all the cheer dances from Bring It On was more your thing? Every sleepover party had some form of choreographed dance, where you would dance on the bed and around the coffee table, so be sure to make that a focal point of the evening.

BOOZE (YOU’RE ADULTS NOW)

You’re adults now. No longer do you have to raid your parents liquor cabinet, then top up the half empty vodka bottle with water. Concoct your own cocktails, make your own margaritas or go old school with malibu and coke mixers. Whatever you’re sleepover tipple of choice, a bit of booze will help make reenacting those Spice Girls dance moves more fun and even less cringeworthy.

GIVE EACHOTHER A MAKEOVER & PAMPER

Doesn’t a night of lounging around in pyjamas and doing some much needed pampering sound great? Share your best makeup tips, cover your face with green goo and cucumber slices and give each other a manicure. You could even go crazy and paint each nail a different colour or be really wild and break out the glitter nail polish, just like the old days.

4 IDEAL TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A THEME FOR YOUR ONLINE STORE

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4 IDEAL TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A THEME FOR YOUR ONLINE STORE

Whether you’re selling fisherman’s hooks or lovely lingerie, any online store should be designed to address a singular question – should a customer purchase a product here or is it better to look elsewhere? Yep, it’s all about the customer. Even if you are offering a truly revolutionary service, clients will fail to appreciate its importance if your site’s not designed with their interests in mind. However, with so many ‘shop templates’ out there, it’s pretty impossible to determine the best theme to use when creating an online shop where customers will want to part with their pennies. With this in mind, here are 4 IDEAL tips on how to choose a theme for your online store.

IT’S ALL ABOUT SIMPLICITY

This is the most important point, so it is only logical that it should be mentioned first. In terms of website engagement, 55 per cent of all visitors will spend less than 15 seconds on a page when searching for a specific option such as a checkout link. If your pages are not designed in an easy-to-navigate manner, you could easily lose a sale before it has even taken hold. A clean and simple layout is far more beneficial than one which bombards the visitor with excessive information and requests.

TEMPLATES TO MATCH YOUR BRAND IDENTITY

A free web store should always silently echo the core qualities of your brand. This includes features such as the font, the background colours and the overall visual tone of the page. For example, a store selling organic food products could make use of a traditional typeface and “warm” tones such as oranges, reds and greens. A site advertising financial services might instead opt for bold lettering and muted hues in order to represent a clear and straightforward approach. Humans respond to visual cues just as much as they resonate with quality content, so consider what they see as much as what you say.

UTILISE MOBILE-RESPONSIVE PLATFORMS 

The huge majority of consumers now choose to access the Internet via a smartphone. Mobile-responsive templates are therefore decisive if you hope to reach the widest audience possible. This essentially signifies that all pages will appear similar regardless of the type of device being used. This is also critical in terms of secure connections and streamlined point of sale pages. The good news is that major providers such as Shopify have included mobile responsiveness as a standard feature within all of their templates.

OFFER IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

There are inevitably instances when a customer will need to contact a representative. Any template should automatically offer a section linked to a help page or a “contact us” widget. Live chat, a dedicated email and a page devoted to frequently asked questions are three common examples and ideally, all should be made available with a single click.

Selecting a quality template for your online business will enhance the visual and functional appeal of the entire website. Thankfully, there are hundreds of different designs and configurations to choose from. Each can be implemented in no time at all and such a user-friendly edge is perfectly suited for those who do not have the time to manually build a portal from the ground up.

7 IDEAL WAYS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR MOOD WHEN IT’S RAINING

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7 IDEAL WAYS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR MOOD WHEN IT’S RAINING

When it’s grey and gloomy outside, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do anything. Indeed, looking outside and seeing rain lashing against the window rarely puts people in a good mood, but can gloomy weather really brings us down? The answer, quite simply, is yes.

If you feel the onset of low mood on a dreary day, it’s not your imagination. Research has shown that when it’s dark and miserable outside, it has a negative effect on your mood and emotions. A lowering of moods during winter has apparently been recorded as far back as 1845. Now named seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the condition is a type of depression that happens to sufferers at certain times of the year — most notably autumn and winter.

So what can you do if your mood starts to drop when the weather outside is frightful? Here are 7 IDEAL ways to brighten your mood when it’s raining.

SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Rain negatively affects our social lives and according to experts, can risk leaving us feeling isolated, frustrated and downbeat. If it’s raining heavily and consistently, we’re more inclined to cancel plans to physically meet our friends and family, or have them cancel on us, which could leave to a less fulfilled social life.

Human contact is fundamental to our mental well-being; without it, a number of pathologies including depression and social anxiety can affect us. So next time it’s raining, make plans to meet up with your friends and family, somewhere safe, warm and indoors. Hypnotherapy for depression has also been shown to help with those trying to cope with low mood issues relating to seasonal changes.

GET IN THE KITCHEN

Speaking of spending time with friends, why not invite them over and cook up a storm. There are so many benefits to cooking for yourself and others; cooking is therapeutic and good for the soul as well as the taste buds. Moreover, preparing a meal for others makes us feel happy and connected, which does wonders for our mood. There’s also an element of self care in cooking. When you cook good food for yourself, you’re nourishing your mind and body and a sense of purpose and pride is restored.

LIGHT A CANDLE

Dips and deviations in mood because of the rain can potentially be addressed through the  healing properties of smell. Simply lighting a candle or burning an essential oil is one way to transform your mood almost instantly; taking in an aroma can can affect you in 3-7 minutes, working on both an emotional and physical level.

Wondering what candle to burn? If you want a boost of energy and, erm, zest, the smell of citrus fruit has been shown to do this. Want to feel relaxed? Candles of jasmine and lavender offer a wonderfully soothing scent that have calming properties, perfect to help you unwind. Or if you want to invoke those feelings of the warmth and togetherness that come with festive period, the aroma of pine elicits those Christmassy emotions.

EXERCISE INDOORS

Did you know that rain can actually cause pain? We’re not joking. When it rains the reduction in atmospheric pressure means bodily fluids can move from blood vessels to tissues, causing pressure on the nerves and joints. This can lead to increased pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.  The answer? Exercise more. Not only will your body thank you for it but, as mental health organisation Mind state, getting exercise is a contributor to sound mental health and can boost your mood no end.

If the rain really is appalling and you can’t face getting wet on the way to the gym or running outside, try an exercise DVD or simply climbing and descending the stairs repeatedly. Anything that gets the heart pumping indoors is better than wallowing around in inactivity-induced self pity.

GET COSY

If you’re going to light a candle you may as well go the whole hog and make your home as cosy as can be. Take a leaf out of the Dane’s book and embrace the concept of Hygge (or Mysig in Swedish). This is all about being kind to yourself, spending quality time, creating a sense of warmth and cosiness, enjoying little indulgences and taking pleasure in the simple things. As well as creating a cosy environment, do things that make you happy, such as having dinner with family, enjoying cake, relaxing in a hot bath with candles, or snuggling on the sofa with a good book and hot drink.

MAKE YOUR OWN GLOW

Natural daylight lamps extend exposure to light during the darker, rainy months and are a worthwhile investment, lifting your mood and providing mental and physical benefits that can counter Seasonal Affective Disorder. Studies have also shown that the warming and calming glow of a fire reduces blood pressure and stress levels, providing a quick-fix feel-good factor when it’s rainy and gloomy outside.

THINK OF RAIN DIFFERENTLY

Why not try looking at rain in a different, altogether brighter light? Sound therapists believe that the sound of rain has a healing, calming effect on us. As such, the sound of gentle rain can stir feelings of peace and tranquility and light rain can even lull you to sleep – science says so.

So instead of getting annoyed at the gloomy, miserable weather that usually goes hand-in-hand with precipitation, instead listen to the soothing sound of rain against the windows – embracing this downtime for a calmer, happier you. Or if you want to do something a little more active, why not pick up a sudoku. According to one study, the sound of rain can actually boost concentration and your arithmetic ability.

 

4 IDEAL TIPS FOR FLYING WITH CAMERA GEAR

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4 IDEAL TIPS FOR FLYING WITH CAMERA GEAR

The preparation, the packing, and the getting there; travelling can be a stressful old thing at the best of times. Add to this some heavy camera equipment, and you’ve got a recipe for a stress overload. Just trying to decide what gear to bring with you, getting your head around airlines regulations on batteries for your camera, and generally trying to keep everything within weight restrictions, can represent a huge obstacle to your sense of enthusiasm about the approaching adventure. With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with Clifton Cameras to advise you on what to bring, how to choose it and the best way to keep it all safe and sound. So here’s 4 IDEAL tips for flying with camera gear.

WHAT TO PACK

There is so much that you can pack when you’re aiming to take countless high-quality photos while travelling. And in this Insta-obsessed age, the emphasis on getting that great snap is larger than ever. If you’re limited when it comes to travel space, you may not be able to take everything you’d like to. What’s more, lugging it all around will be a massive pain; likely to sap your enthusiasm for actually having the patience to capture some amazing snaps. So, here are two checklists – one with the essential items that you shouldn’t leave home without, and the other offering the ideal extras, for those times when you find you have a little more luggage space to spare:

THE ESSENTIAL CHECKLIST

  • Camera (obviously)
  • All-purpose zoom lens
  • Wide- aperture prime lens
  • Batteries and charger
  • Memory cards
  • Polarizer filtre
  • ND filter
  • Tripod
  • Microfibre cloths
  • Camera bag and rain cover

IDEAL EXTRAS

  • Laptop
  • Portable backup drive
  • Care reader
  • USB cables
  • Filter System
  • Drone

CHECK WHAT ELECTRONIC DEVICES YOUR AIRLINE ALLOWS

Board a plane in the UK and, as we all know, you’ll be faced with restrictions on what you can take onboard. Moreover, the types of electronic devices you can take onto a flight will differ from one country to the next, as well being airline dependent, so double check beforehand what you can and can’t bring. Also, ensure any electronic devices are charged ahead of travelling. If a device is unable to switch on when requested by security, you may be unable to take it.

Some airlines are pretty strict on the equipment you can bring in your hand luggage. Usually, up to two spare batteries for portable devices which contain lithium ion batteries exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 WH (not above 160 Wh) can be taken onboard with you. They cannot be put into the hold luggage and the devices themselves must remain switched off during the flight. Likewise, batteries for devices which contain lithium metal or lithium cells can also be put into hand luggage. And again, they can’t be put into the hood. Devices powered by fuel cells are only permitted to be carried in hand luggage or on one’s person, they cannot be placed in hold luggage.

INVEST IN A PROPER CAMERA BAG

A quality camera bag is one of life’s worthwhile investment for any photographer. Indeed, the use of a dedicated camera bag, with all the right compartments will be your saviour when travelling with all your photography equipment. Not only will your cameras and lenses be well padded and nicely organised, it will save your back a whole lotta strain while running through airports.

INSURE YOUR EQUIPMENT

If possible, it’s best not to pack your valuable, fragile equipment into checked luggage. Just imagine if it gets damaged or worse; goes missing. That’s not only expensive equipment difficult to retrieve, but a danger of losing those all important photos, too. However, if your bag does get checked beyond your control make sure all your camera equipment is insured, as often a standard content policy won’t cover these items. Also, back up any photos you may already have on your device.

6 IDEAL REASONS TO GIVE A PROMISE RING TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE

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6 IDEAL REASONS TO GIVE A PROMISE RING TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE

When the phrase ‘promise ring’ is uttered, what do you think of? An old emo song you loved in your teens? A cartoon involving pink unicorns fighting crime? Broken pledges, rather than kept ones? Whatever your response, it’s unlikely that it’ll be recognition. It may, indeed, take a little time to work out what one is, and you’d certainly be forgiven for questioning the difference between a promise and engagement ring. Since one of the most common reasons of giving one is with the intent of getting married, then the confusion with a proposal is understandable.

But, there is more to these two words than just crippling confusion. Yep, the wonderful thing about promise rings is that one can mean whatever you want it to mean. Unlike an engagement ring that has one symbolic purpose, a promise ring can be given for many reasons, conveying a meaningful significance to the wearer, and only to that wearer. With an increasing amount of specialist stores offering a wide range of promise rings in UK, we thought we’d dig deeper. So, here are 6 IDEAL reasons to give a promise ring to someone you love.

AS A TOKEN OF LOVE

If you’ve ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll remember the episode when Angel gave Buffy a Claddagh ring, depicting two clasped hands holding a heart (see above pic). To paraphrase, what he told one of the most loved teen heroines of our time is that the Irish exchange these rings as a sign of devotion. The hands represents friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart… well, you know. If you wear it with the heart pointing towards you, it means you belong to somebody. Indeed, the ring represents a visual sign of love or friendship and serves as a warm reminder of commitment – pretty special, don’t you think?

TO YOUR BEST FRIEND

Speaking of friendship, promise rings aren’t just worn by romantic couples. Friends also share promise rings, for many reasons. It can be to celebrate a long-standing relationship and a promise to always support them and be good and fair to each other, through tough times and hard, even if busy lives get in the way. Ok, we know that sounds kind of like wedding vows – corny, even – so instead think of a promise ring as one of those braided colour bracelets you used to make your BFF as a kid, but a grownup kind. 

AS A PRECURSOR TO AN ENGAGEMENT

Promise rings are often called “pre-engagement” rings,  given as a ‘promise’ of marriage, sometime, somewhere down the road. However, even if you don’t end up actually getting married, a promise ring is a symbol that you are committed to your partner and have eyes for no one else at that moment in time. Now that’s a romantic gesture, if ever we saw one.

BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO GET MARRIED

Have you ever questioned if marriage even makes sense anymore? You’re not alone. Western women no longer live in a patriarchal society, and thank god (a female version) for that.  As such, marriage is waning in popularity in contemporary culture and many millennials are deciding not to tie the knot. That said, sometimes it’s nice to have a symbol of commitment. Indeed, if you’re in a longterm, monogamous, cohabiting couple, then a little token of  loyalty and faithfulness is a whole lot cheaper and less stressful than having a wedding to affirm the same ideas.

TO RESTORE HOPE & FAITH IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Hope, faith, chastity (no, wait; the last one is the wrong type of ring). Jokes aside, a promise ring can act as an apology and a promise to never do something again, therefore becoming a symbol of hope and faith in a relationship. Perhaps your partner, husband or wife has done your wrong and you’ve been arguing.  A promise ring can be a sign of commitment between two people to show intent to right a wrong or make an effort to listen to each other instead of argue.

As previously mentioned, there is no particular type of ring you should give as a promise ring, however you could consider personalising the ring. For example, if you’ve just promised to try and listen to each other more, then consider a ring with an aquamarine gemstone, which symbolises courage and communication. Or perhaps you’ve pledged to help out with the chores more, maybe do some more cooking, or clean the house more frequently? If this is the case, then stores like Perkin Knives have an amazing collection of promise rings made from Damascus steel, the same material used to make knives – of which you’ll be picking up more of in the kitchen too, of course.

TO MAKE A PROMISE

Exchanging promise rings can equally be a symbol of a joint commitment which is not related to love – emphasis on the word promise. Life is full of promises, some are routine like looking after your friend’s pet when they go on holiday and some are more cherished, like becoming someones Godmother. It’s for these cherished promises where such a ring is often exchanged. 

4 IDEAL REASONS MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

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4 IDEAL REASONS MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

It’s no news that friends are important to health and happiness. Friends are the family that we choose, we love them despite their annoying qualities and when it comes to happiness and friendship, there is no end to the correlations.

In the past, maintaining friendships was perhaps more difficult. However, SunLife’s campaign shows that the way we communicate over the past 100 years has changed dramatically. Indeed, with today’s technology, staying connected has never been easier and allows us to nurture friendships, whether or not we’re in the same town, country or even continent.

Nonetheless, even though we can send messages, emoticons and selfies with the intended party receiving them instantly, sometimes life gets in the way and those all important friendships can begin to wane. Some even argue that technology is ruining friendships. So, hoping to inspire you to keep your social life well and truly alive, here are 4 IDEAL reasons maintaining friendships is important for your health and happiness.

BOOSTS YOUR MOOD & REDUCES STRESS

A 2011 study highlights that spending time with your friends can help decrease your stress levels; triggering our essential endorphin system, which in turn boosts our mood, reducing the stress we may feel. Don’t believe us? A study conducted by Oxford Economics discovered that in a survey of British adults, those who always eat alone score drastically lower in happiness points, showing that a little company goes a long way. 

INCREASES YOUR SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE

Feeling that you belong is so important. Not only can it can help you see value in life, it can also help you cope with painful emotions. According to Karyn Hall, Ph.D., director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center in Houston, “A sense of belonging to a greater community improves your motivation, health and happiness,” and “When you see your connection to others, you know that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There is comfort in that knowledge.”

GOOD FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

Whether you know it or not, your friends have shaped in to who you are today and they will continue to do so for the rest of your life. Friends allow you the chance to increase your knowledge and learn about new things, whether it’s through telling you a story about themselves of through shared experiences. Our friends can open our eyes up to the world, present us with new ideas and help us grow as a person.

HELPS YOU TO BE FITTER AND LIVE LONGER 

Along with the benefits to your mental wellbeing, scientists have discovered that maintaining close friendships can improve your physical health. In fact, it has been shown that people who have close, long-lasting friendships live longer than those without. As our friends reduce our stress levels and anxiety, it can, in turn, lower our blood pressure and even reduce the risk of illness, such as coronary heart disease. Quite like hitting the gym, maintaining friendships can even help us fight obesity.

Friendships are as vital to our health, both physical and mental, as eating the right food, exercising and getting enough sleep. Loneliness and isolation can attribute to a shorter, unhappy life, so cherishing, nurturing and valuing every friendship we make is crucial. However, it doesn’t mean we have to settle for those friends who make us feel less-than-great. Cutting toxic and negative people from your life, whether old school friends or brand new, can transform your stress and anxiety levels, and improve your wellbeing. So, look at the bigger picture and embrace the art of social connections.

5 IDEAL TIPS FOR DEALING WITH COLD CALLERS

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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR DEALING WITH COLD CALLERS

There’s never a good time to talk to a cold caller, is there? Somehow they either manage to ring halfway through EastEnders, when we’re just about to sit down for a meal, or about to walk out of the door.

We get that these guys are just trying to make a living, and they’re only doing their job. If we’re the ones irritated by an unwanted call, just imagine how the cold callers feel, facing rejection after rejection during an eight hour shift. However, we still hate getting cold calls. According to research presented by The Times, Britain is the worst country in Europe for dealing with nuisance cold-callers. Brits were victim to 2.2 billion phone calls last year which calculate to around 4,200 phone calls and messages every minute — with many having the intent to scam people.

With 57% of Brits saying that the most annoying thing about owning a phone is the nuisance calls, we’ve teamed up with True Solicitors LLP, a company that can spot mis-sold timeshare occurrences from cold-callers in a heartbeat. This article will help you prepare for the next time a cold-caller rings —and make sure that they never dial again. So here are 5 IDEAL ways to deal with cold callers.

WASTE THEIR TIME

There’s nothing that salespeople hate more than a potential customer (you) wasting their precious time. They call to get you instantly on board with some product or service that they’re selling, but telling them you’re not interested at the start of the call won’t achieve anything. They will first mention the product that they are selling and you must act interested at the start, they’ll start their sales patter and after they’ve put the effort into doing that — just admit that you’re not really interested and admit that you were just wasting their time. Remember that they have targets — they’ll not want to ring your number again!

RECORD THE CALL

We’ve prepared you a script that will hopefully deter any unsolicited calls coming into your home. Say something along the lines of: “Hello, just to let you know that I will be recording this phone call as you’re not complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations of 2003. This legislation has been put in place to help restrict marketing methods through cold-calling, unsolicited texts, emails, and faxes”. The good thing about this trick is that they’ve probably ended the call after the first sentence. Don’t be afraid to try this one!

TELL THEM YOU’RE BANKRUPT

Cold-callers want one thing and one thing only — your money. Tell them that you’re an undischarged bankrupt and they will put the phone done quicker than you could imagine. By saying this, you’re telling them that you are unable to obtain credit beyond a certain limit without informing the creditor of your status. Of course, this does not exist in your case — but they don’t know that.

TELL THEM YOU’RE A CRIMINAL

This one could work in a variety of different scenarios, if you’re becoming the victim of an obvious timeshare scam where the operator says that you have won a free holiday — tell them that you’ve been issued a travel injunction and have had your passport revoked by the county court or, tell them that you’re in custody and are awaiting your trial and plan to plead guilty.

SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE (OR GIBBERISH)

As they’re targeting your home in Britain, they’re likely expecting you to speak English. Don’t conform to what they want! If you can speak another language, try doing that, and as they won’t be able to understand what you’re saying, they will hang up. If you don’t know another language, make it up and this will leave them even more confused than what they originally were.

 

 

IDEAL FOR SUMMER FUN: STRAWBERRY & PASSION FRUIT ICEBOX PIE

Editorial Team
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER FUN: STRAWBERRY & PASSION FRUIT ICEBOX PIE
  • Vegetarian
  • Preparation time:30 minutes + chilling
  • Cooking time:25 minutes
  • Total time:55 minutes + chilling
  • Serves: 4 – 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 200g pack shortcake biscuits
  • 75g unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ tsp vanilla powder
  • 8 passion fruit, sieved and pips discarded
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 medium Free Range Egg, yolks only
  • 397g can condensed milk
  • 400g strawberries
  • 300ml double cream
  • 1 passion fruit, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Lightly grease a 23cm tart tin.

2. Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a fine crumb, add the melted butter and vanilla, and pulse again to combine.

3. Transfer to the prepared tin and press into the sides and base with the back of spoon until evenly distributed. Place in the oven to bake for 10 minutes.

4. Strain the passion fruit juice into a large bowl (about 100ml), add the lemon juice, egg yolks and condensed milk, and whisk to combine before pouring into the biscuit base. Level with the back of a spoon and slide into the oven to bake for 15 minutes until just set but with a slight wobble.

5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool before popping in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.

6. Slice the strawberries and place on top of the set pie. Softly whip the cream, then pile on top of the strawberries, drizzle with a little extra passion fruit and serve.

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

THE IDEAL SUMMERTIME DESSERT: TRAYBAKED BERRY MERINGUE

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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THE IDEAL SUMMERTIME DESSERT: TRAYBAKED BERRY MERINGUE

Can anything beat fluffy meringue and warm berries topped with a dollop of thick cream? For us it’s the ultimate summertime dessert and this recipe for traybaked berry meringue is sure to please.

RECIPE INFO

  • Preparation time:15 minutes
  • Cooking time:60 minutes
  • Total time:1 hour 15 minutes
  • Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 600g mixed berries, including blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
  • 400g (approx 6) plums, halved, stoned and roughly chopped
  • 75g light muscovado sugar
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 4 Waitrose British Blacktail Medium Free Range Egg whites
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 140°C, gas mark 1. Place the berries (strawberries halved if large), plums and muscovado sugar into a baking dish or tin measuring about 20x30cm. Split the vanilla pod in half and, using a small, sharp knife, scrape out the vanilla seeds and mix well with the fruits then add the scraped pod.

2. Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Gradually add the caster sugar 1 tbsp at a time, whisking well after each addition, until the mixture is stiff and glossy. Add the cornflour and vinegar and whisk until just combined.

3. Drop large spoonfuls of the meringue mixture on top of the fruits until roughly covered, then bake for 1 hour, until the meringue is crunchy on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside, and the fruits are tender and have a lovely sauce. Serve warm or cold with thick cream or ice cream.

 Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

IDEAL FOR SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA: ORANGE PISTACHIO CAKE WITH CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER & STRAWBERRY COMPOTE

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA: ORANGE PISTACHIO CAKE WITH CRUSHED BLACK PEPPER & STRAWBERRY COMPOTE

This wonderfully moist cake with sweet, spicy and bitter flavours is IDEAL for afternoon tea in the summer months.

RECIPE INFO

  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten Free
  • Preparation time:15 minutes
  • Cooking time:50-60 minutes
  • Total time:65-75 minutes
  • Makes: 1 x 23cm cake

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large orange
  • 100g soft apricots
  • 250g butter, softened
  • 250g caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp for the strawberries
  • 4 medium Free Range Eggs
  • 150g polenta
  • 2 tsp baking powder (use a gluten-free variety to make this cake suitable for coeliacs)
  • 200g pistachio kernels, finely ground in a blender
  • 400g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1. Place the whole orange and apricots in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and simmer very gently for 1 hour until very soft, then drain. Cut the orange in half and remove any pips, then blitz in a blender with the apricots. Leave to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Butter and base line a 23cm deep, loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Cream the butter with 250g of the sugar until pale and light then beat in
the eggs one at a time. Fold in the polenta, baking powder and ground pistachio kernels, then the puréed orange and apricot mixture to give a soft batter.

3. Spoon into the prepared cake tin and level the surface. Bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake emerges clean. Cool in the tin on a wire rack.

4. Place the strawberries in a bowl and scatter with 2 tbsp sugar and the black pepper. Leave to stand to allow the juices to run. Spoon onto the cake, and serve in slices with spoonfuls of crème fraîche.

 Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

IDEAL FOR YOUR GARDEN TEA PARTY: SUMMER ARCTIC ROLL

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR YOUR GARDEN TEA PARTY: SUMMER ARCTIC ROLL

The summer arctic roll; an oxymoron if ever there was, but one that makes perfect sense. This sponge and ice cream pudding is IDEAL for any summer garden party.

METHOD

  • Preparation time:20 minutes + freezing
  • Cooking time:35 minutes + freezing
  • Serves: 4 – 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 large Waitrose British Blacktail Free Range Eggs
  • 100g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 75g plain flour
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp strawberry jam
  • 500ml tub vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 300g fresh strawberries, hulled, to serve

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Line a 24cm x 32cm Swiss roll tin with baking parchment. Place the eggs and sugar in a bowl, and whisk well with a hand-held electric whisk for at least 3 minutes until you have a very pale and thickened mixture that leaves a trail when the whisk is lifted out of the mixture.

2. Carefully fold the flour, baking powder and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until well combined. Gently pour the mixture into the Swiss roll tin, and bake for 15 minutes until golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes until you can handle it. Carefully take the sponge out of the tin on its paper and turn over and remove the parchment. Place on a clean piece of parchment, dusted with caster sugar, and roll up while still warm. Leave to cool rolled up.

3. When totally cooled carefully unroll and spread the whole of the surface with the strawberry jam. Spoon the softened ice cream down the long centre of the sponge, then fold over the sponge and secure with the parchment, twisting in the ends of the paper like a Christmas cracker. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up the ice cream.

4. Serve cut into slices with extra strawberries on the side

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

HOTEL REVIEW: FAMIANA RESORT & SPA, PHU QUOC – THE IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Travel Team
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HOTEL REVIEW: FAMIANA RESORT & SPA, PHU QUOC – THE IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILIES

Phu Quoc; only a decade ago largely untouched by the broader strokes of tourism. But now, an island with something for everyone and anyone. And with the huge amount of options now on available, especially under the resort and spa banner, it can be hard to differentiate. The paradox of choice, it seems, can grip you and not let go. Famiana offers comfort and luxury while being reasonable and accessible; a great compromise for the budget traveller not wishing to break the bank, or for the head of a family needing pocket money for souvenirs, day trips and toys on the beach.

IDEA

A popular choice for holidaying Vietnamese, Famiana offers comfortable surrounds, a gorgeous spa and great sport and recreation options. Combined with access to a gorgeous stretch of private beach and delicious food in its onsite restaurant, there really isn’t much more one could ask for.

LOCATION

Famiana is on the long, focal point road of the island, Tran Hung Dao. A short taxi ride will take you to a host of restaurants and bars if you do feel like stepping out, although it’s entirely possible to eat well within the resort. The hotel is divided into three sections; beach, spa and green villa, each with their own personality. The resort’s beach is reputedly the best on the island’s west coast to catch the sunset. With Pho Quoc’s sunny disposition offering a healthy dose of vitamin C, expect good moods to match.

DECOR & AMBIANCE

The décor is clean, comfortable and straightforward – all you could ask for when nestled on such a lovely beach. The hotel makes great use of greenery – with trees and grass giving the stage over to nature to do her thing. We adore the wicker hanging chairs dotted around the resort, ideal for sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the natural surrounds. Of intrigue and enhancing the natural essence of Famiana is a large greenhouse slap bang in the middle of the resort, growing greens and vegetables for the onsite restaurant. This place is kid friendly, a big plus, with fun and frolics to be found for the little ones at every turn.

ROOMS

Accommodation is split into the beach zone and green villa zone – pretty self explanatory-  but just incase you didn’t get it, some have beach views while others are set back within the lush tropical garden. Beds are huge and luscious, and together with the black out drapes, a good night’s sleep is guaranteed. Another big plus point for the hotel is the bath; a large, spacious and relaxing affair (if you haven’t had your fill of water in the form of the pool and of course, the sea). Placed next to a large window, you’re able to look over the resort (without being seen) and really kick back.

FOOD & DRINK

The buffet breakfast choices are plentiful. A rotating cast of light, refreshing Vietnamese noodle soups is the highlight – different each morning and downright delicious. If you happen to be staying when bún riêu (a crab and tomato soup) is on offer, you’d be crazy to pass up on it. All this is served set in the garden area, close to the pool and overlooking the sea; a pleasant start to any day.

Drinking cocktails at a bar by the beach, under the shaded palm trees is a perquisite of any tropical holiday, and you can do this at the hotel’s Cheers Bar. What’s more, La Viet Cafe is the ideal place to enjoy Vietnam’s much lauded caphe nau da (iced coffee with condensed milk) while both Faminana restaurant and the Garden restaurant offer pan Asian fare. Here fresh fish, especially squid, is utilised well for lunch and dinner.

FACILITIES

The reasons so many people come to Phu Quoc is to relax and unwind, therefore it’s obligatory to treat yourself to a session at the hotel’s Sandles Spa. Indeed there’s nothing like having some much needed relaxation time on a tropical beach, only to be followed by more relaxing and indulgence in the spa. The usual hot stone, Swedish and Thai massages are on available, as well as a variety of treatment therapies including aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. It’s also equipped with a sauna, spa tub and a steam room. All you need, then.

The swimming pool is expansive and properly deep – something you don’t always find in hotel pools here – with a small area for children to splash. The resort also offers water floaties and rideable toys for kids to play with. Just be careful; the amount of fun they can have here makes leaving very difficult indeed.

Giving individuality to the resort are options for tennis and archery – something we haven’t seen elsewhere on the island and really fun. Oh ,and the hotel offers free transfer from the airport – just let them know in advance if you need a ride.

WHY GO

For the comfort and luxury provided, Famiana is a budget friendly option with everything you could need from a beach and spa resort; a real gem.

Website:  famianaresort.com

IDEAL FOR SUMMER LUNCH: STRAWBERRY, TOASTED PECAN & GORGONZOLA SALAD

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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IDEAL FOR SUMMER LUNCH: STRAWBERRY, TOASTED PECAN & GORGONZOLA SALAD

Nothing tastes of summer like freshly picked British strawberries and if you’re looking for a new way to add strawberries to your summertime menu, this strawberry, toasted pecan and gorgonzola salad is IDEAL.

INFO

  • Preparation time:10
  • Cooking time:3-5 minutes
  • Total time:13-15 minutes
  • Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 100g pecan halves
    2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    2 tsp red wine vinegar
    2 tbsp finely shredded basil leaves
    1 small shallot, finely sliced
    225g pack essential Waitrose Strawberries, hulled and thickly sliced
    120g pack Waitrose Rocket Salad
    100g Waitrose Gorgonzola PDO Dolce, cubed

METHOD

1. Warm a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pecans and cook, turning them frequently, for 3–5 minutes until lightly toasted.

2. Mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil and shallot together in the base of a large salad bowl. Season to taste, bearing in mind that the cheese you are adding is quite salty.

3. Place the strawberries into the bowl together with the rocket salad, warm pecans and Gorgonzola. Toss well and serve immediately with crusty bread.

Images and recipes courtesy of Waitrose.com/Summer

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